The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties valued at ₹129.85 crore in connection with an ongoing money laundering probe into the alleged supply of adulterated ghee to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. The action, executed by the agency’s Hyderabad Zonal Office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, targets assets belonging to dairy supply firms, their promoters, and linked entities. The central probe concerns supplies intended for preparing the revered laddu prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh.
According to a formal statement issued by the agency on October 14, the provisional attachment forms part of a wider investigation aimed at tracing the financial trail and establishing whether the proceeds of crime were laundered through corporate networks. The enforcement action is focused on determining the commercial links and verifying transactions surrounding the procurement of raw ingredients used by the temple trust.
Three Dairy Firms and Promoters Face Regulatory Action
The attached properties are associated with Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Private Limited, Sri Vaishnavi Dairy Specialities Private Limited, and Sukriti Foods Private Limited. The attachment order encompasses assets belonging to the three corporate entities as well as personal assets registered under their respective promoters and related entities.
Agency officials have not released an individual asset valuation or a company-wise breakdown detailing the exact apportionment of the ₹129.85 crore figure. Investigators are currently reviewing corporate ledgers and financial disclosures to ascertain the precise volume of funds generated from the supply contracts entered into with the temple administration.
Quality Concerns Over Laddu Prasadam Draw Regulatory Focus
The laddu prasadam distributed at the Tirumala shrine holds immense religious significance for millions of devotees, making the procurement standards of its ingredients a subject of widespread public attention. The ongoing controversy surfaced after questions emerged regarding the authenticity and purity of the ghee supplied to the shrine, bringing the operations of external vendors under scrutiny.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which administers the hilltop shrine and oversees the preparation of sacred offerings, remains central to the probe as investigators review the terms and execution of its procurement agreements. In addition to addressing concerns surrounding food quality and administrative transparency, the investigation is examining the fund transfers between the contracting firms and downstream entities to establish financial complicity.
Legal Provisions and Next Steps Under Anti-Laundering Laws
The provisional attachment of assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is designed to prevent the transfer, sale, or alienation of properties suspected to be connected to unlawful gains while inquiries remain underway. The affected entities and individuals retain the legal right to challenge the attachment orders before the competent statutory authorities as prescribed by law.
While the agency confirmed the total valuation of the properties, specific details regarding their physical locations and individual asset categories have not been disclosed. The long-term status of the attached holdings will depend on formal adjudication proceedings and the final findings established by investigators as the money laundering inquiry progresses.
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